THE SANDS POINT CONSERVANCY'S GARDEN PARTY GALA

The Sands Point Conservancy hosted its Garden Party Gala in August to unveil the beautiful new Hempstead House garden. This new four season garden is home to diverse plantings that include native grasses, textured shrubs, and beautiful flowers for pollinators. The expert planning and execution of this beautiful space shows from every angle.

Eleven artists were invited to paint in the garden during this fundraising event and then donate a work for auction. I was honored to be included in this group and happy to help support this historic Long Island space so close to my home.

My biggest challenge… trying to complete a 40” x 40” painting in such a limited time. The weather was perfect and the beauty of this magical space was all the energy and inspiration this plein air painter needed. I was also able to finish two smaller pieces that I had started ahead of time and then finished on site.

I’m looking forward to returning for more plein air painting in this wonderful space.

REFLECTIONS AT THE ART GUILD

The Art Guild hosted its yearly photography exhibit in February. It is one of their largest exhibitions as Long Island has so many photographers and photography clubs. I was honored to be exhibiting with this talented field and pleasantly surprised to get a second place award. Thank you to judge Debra Wells of Artfull BUZZ for this recognition. A shout out to my amazing iPhone camera!

STAN'S CLAN AT GALLERY NORTH

Stan Brodsky was one of Long Island’s most eminent contemporary artists. I had the privilege to have him as a mentor for many years in a group meeting at The Art League of Long Island. He was a force of nature and was right to the point if he didn’t like something. He taught me how to not “fall in love with that first beautiful mark” and to take a critical eye around the entire painting. His passion for art, teaching and his students was magic.

Stan’s influence on so many artists was the focus of this panel discussion hosted by Gallery North. It was a wonderful evening sharing our memories and celebrating Stan Brodsky.

ARTIST'S CHOICE EXHIBITION

B. J. Spoke Gallery is a member owned and run, not-for-profit gallery in Huntington, New York. This gallery has a rich history and firmly planted roots here on Long Island. The members here represent a diversified and talented group of artists. I was honored by Minoo Moadel to pair with her vibrant, expressive, and textural abstract work. Her work has always resonated with me… we both love color and are thoroughly absorbed in the process of painting. We both color outside the lines!

JOAN MITCHELL AT THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART

There are no words.. adjectives…that can adequately describe Joan Mitchell’s work. For me it was an emotional and uplifting experience to see…no… EXPERIENCE these massive works all under one roof. I wanted to reach out and touch all that glorious color and texture…so much luscious oil paint.

She is my muse and I admire her courage to push out of comfort and what is expected. Her use of rhythmic lines and layered color fields reach out from the canvas. It’s a sensation or feeling that grabs you. She said of her work, “ That particular thing I want can’t be verbalized….”

If you ever have the opportunity to see a Joan Mitchell exhibition… walk, run or fly to see it!

MARKET ART AND DESIGN

The east end of Long Island has a vibrant art community and hosts some of the largest art exhibitions during the summer. Market Art and Design is one of these must see shows. Galleries from around the world come here year after year to showcase their artists. Tents are set up in the farmland fields in Bridgehampton…think Hampton Classic Horse Show!

This year I was happy to be exhibiting with Michael Joseph of Artblend. It was exciting to be a part of such a large show and see such diverse work. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my work with so many art enthusiasts.

LOCUST VALLEY POP-UP GALLERY

Opening a gallery with talented friends was a dream of mine. We had a wonderful opportunity for the four of us…Christine D’Addario, Ellen Hallie Schiff and Ilene Silberstein to share this prime location for two months. The owner was equally excited to house local artists and bring art into this Long Island community. We made many new friends and connections in the two months we were open…and even some sales. The community was very supportive and we received some very positive press.

I can now fully appreciate all that gallery owners/managers do in promoting their artists. It is a full time job… I prefer to paint!

Filtered Light

During our Covid isolation, I found a wonderful group of new friends at Gallery North in Setauket, NY. We met weekly for “ Coffee and Crit” to share our art and the process in making these pieces. I was honored when Kate Schwarting, Assistant Curator of Exhibitions and Collections asked me to exhibit in their “ Filtered Light” show with Ty Stroudsburg. The exhibit ran from January 14 - February 25.

This exhibition was the first in studio exhibition since the Covid lock down. The show was well received with a very bright color play between Ty’s painterly landscapes and my colorful abstracts.

TBR Newsmedia covered the show. You can read the full article on their website here.

Art of the Mark Abstract Show - The Art Guild

In December 2020, The Art Guild held it’s abstract exhibition….Art of the Mark. The judge for this show was Karli Wurzelbacher Ph.D., curator for the Heckscher Museum . Since this was another online exhibit, I was happy to enter one of my larger paintings, ”Complicated Logic”. This particular painting was about playing with color…not overthinking my marks…leaving the drips…..embracing mistakes. Sometimes the most exciting things happen when we allow ourselves to just explore. I was honored to receive First Place for this painting.

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Members Showcase 2020 - The Art Guild

This is one of my favorite exhibitions each year…it includes such a diversity of art. Each member can submit one piece and It’s exciting to see what work they chose. The quarantine continues so online exhibiting provides us a great way to put our art into the world. Even in this time of separation we are all connected in our need to create.

“Breakers” was painted in my studio one cloudy day when I was missing the beach. I used a photo for reference and tried to lay in a good design quickly. Didn’t want it to feel overthought or overworked.

Thank you to judge Doug Dawson for awarding my painting Second Place in this show..

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Art in Quarantine

Being Isolated from most of the people and things that I love has been deeply challenging for me…. and most of my friends. In March after returning from a lovely family vacation, I returned home to find New York at the epicenter of this terrible pandemic. I thought this quarantine would be at best a couple of months. I’m glad that I didn’t know the magnitude of this crisis. Not being in control or having answers is torturous for me.

I am grateful for my beautiful Long Island home and its beach access. The hours of walking and quiet have helped ease much of my anxiety and loneliness. Growing up on the West coast, I have always loved the water. Being in it, on it, or just looking at it has been a constant mood elevator. Until a few weeks ago, when the heat and bugs arrived , my husband and I walked almost daily collecting some lovely beach glass specimens.

The time spent outdoors…seeing EVERYTHING day to day… has filled me with color and texture. So much happened as my senses sharpened and I watched winter turn to spring and then summer. I feel blessed to be an artist and have this outlet to express myself. Some days in my home studio are very fruitful and others…well not so much! I’m not pushing myself to create.. just to show up.

We all are feeling the effects of this pandemic. I’m trying to be kinder to myself and not be so quick to judge my work. I have so many feelings … good and bad and I’m sure they will be expressed at some point.

I was contacted by Gallery & Studio Arts Journal in April to be published in their “Art in Quarantine” journal. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to share what I had been painting. Thank you!

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“ No Easy Answers” Oil and oil stick on canvas. 36” x 36”. Gallery & Studio Arts Journal’s ART IN QUARANTINE

“ No Easy Answers” Oil and oil stick on canvas. 36” x 36”. Gallery & Studio Arts Journal’s ART IN QUARANTINE

H2O Exhibition at The Art Guild

The Art Guild decided to take their “H2O” exhibition virtual in early April…. adjusting to the uncertainty of the quickly emerging health crisis. This was a jurored show with a full spectrum of beautiful blues represented in varied mediums. Judge Doug Reina awarded my painting “Surfacing” first place. Thank you Doug. What an honor to be recognized in a field of so many talented artists.

Artist's Choice Janurary 2019

B. J. Spoke Gallery in Huntington had it’s Artist’s Choice Exhibition in January. The cooperative gallery had it’s member’s pick an artist to pair with their work for this show. Thank you Lee Ann Lindgren for choosing me to exhibit with her beautiful landscape and a shout out to Keven Larkin for the opportunity to be a part of this art community.

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"What kind of artist are you?"

This is the question that i frequently am asked when i talk about my work. I find it more than challenging to give my response. I‘m a painter that works from direct observation and photos…trying to capture what is before me with the most meaningful brush strokes. A confident brush stroke to me is much more exciting that an overthought one. More and more i’m drawn to very large canvas sizes …moving from representational work to abstraction. It’s been very seductive to get lost in the lusciousness of oil paint. Letting my hands move freely across the vast surfaces, watching the interactions of the beautiful colors. It’s an experiment each time I start a new piece…the uncertainty is what fuels the excitement.

Abstraction: What is True for You?

The Art Guild of Port Washington held “ Abstraction: What is True for You?” , a juried competition and exhibition. My painting “ Superficial Information” was awarded top prize . Keven Larkin , artist and President of B. J. Spoke Gallery was the judge for this show. Kevin is a very talented artist and teacher and his recognition of my work was a wonderful honor.

"Stan and his Clan" Stan Brodsky and his Students at the Bryant Library

Stan Brodsky is a hugely talented contemporary artist….but this show celebrates his journey as a generous teacher and mentor. A few members of this group have been together for 30 years. I feel fortunate to be included in this talented bunch . We meet once a month to share all things artful.

Casting Shadows Exhibition

I was so happy to have work accepted for the Casting Shadows exhibit at The Art Guild . Lana Ballot was the judge for this show and my piece “ Looking North” was awarded second place for its subtle use of beautiful color and its composition of light and darks.

Roslyn Village Gallery Exhibition

Thank you to gallery owner Marsha Tarlow for the opportunity to exhibit in her September show. This wonderful Long Island gallery is a gem for the community and Marsha is a huge supporter of local artists.